Report from Minnesota

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 11, 1863

Report from Minnesota.

BRO. WHITE: We have just closed our meetings in Cleveland. We began our labors under many discouragements. The enemy had reduced a once flourishing church to almost a total wreck. They have had no meetings for months. Some in discouragement joined the army, and others gave up. We began our labors on Friday evening, and gave testimony on the signs of the times, and endeavored to make the people feel that we were their friends, and had come to help them.

Sabbath, Bro. Snook preached a sermon on spiritual gifts and sister W.'s visions, and I followed by reading the vision for Minnesota. Here the spell broke, and captivity began to turn on the Lord's side. Bro. Allen arose, and very humbly acknowledged the truth of the vision, confessed his wrongs, and made a new start for the kingdom. I gave a discourse in the afternoon on sanctification, which was followed by an excellent social meeting. On first day morning we met and organized a church of fifteen members, who adopted the plan of systematic benevolence, which amounts to $59.80 per year. There are others who will unite with them soon. We hope this little church may, for the future, avoid the rocks on which they have run, and be faithful from this on, that at last they may share in that salvation for which we are striving.

We were much pleased to meet Bro. Odell who had joined the army. He heard of our meeting, and came on foot to see us. His heart was soon melted down, and in his testimony he assured us that nothing but discouragement ever drove him where he now is. He is strong in the faith, and trusts that God may open the way for his escape. May God bless him and deliver him is our most sincere prayer.

I. SANBORN. B. F. SNOOK.

Cleveland, Minn., July 15, 1863.